This 2 Ingredient Instant Pot BBQ Chicken is an easy meal your family will love. Ready in less than 30 minutes, it's perfect for busy weeknights. Serve with rice, in a sandwich, or with veggies.
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Instant Pot BBQ chicken is a fantastic dinner option for those busy days when you want a delicious meal without the hassle. With just two ingredients and a pressure cooker, dinner will be ready in no time.
For more easy chicken recipes, try Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks, Air Fryer Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs, and Air Fryer Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Breasts.
❤️ Why this recipe works
- This easy recipe is quick to prepare.
- Deliciously tender and juicy chicken with a sweet and smoky BBQ flavor.
- You can use any chicken, either boneless chicken breasts or thighs.
- Use shredded chicken in pulled chicken sandwiches, tacos, or salads.
- Perfect for quick summer meals.
- Great for meal prep.
🐓 Ingredients & Substitutions
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts. I used four boneless skinless chicken breasts for this recipe. You can also use boneless, skinless chicken thighs.
- Your favorite barbeque sauce. I like to use a sweet and smoky BBQ sauce, but you can use whatever flavor you want. I used Sweet Baby Ray's Original Barbecue Sauce. You can also use your own homemade barbecue sauce.
- Water. You could also use chicken broth instead.
See the printable recipe card below for the full list of ingredients and quantities.
🍗 How to make 2-ingredient instant pot BBQ chicken
Overview
- Add trivet, water, and chicken to Instant Pot.
- Spoon on barbecue sauce.
- Cook on high pressure for 15 minutes.
- Natural release for 5 minutes.
- Mix chicken with BBQ sauce.
- Serve.
Step-by-step instructions
Step 1: Place a trivet in the instant pot and add 1 cup of water. Place boneless chicken breasts in a single layer on the trivet.
Step 2: Place about ⅓ cup of barbecue sauce on the chicken breasts. Secure the lid. Set to high pressure for 15 minutes of cooking time.
Step 3: After the 15-minute cook time is up, let the pressure naturally release for 5 minutes. Then, quick release any remaining pressure and open the lid.
Step 4: Lift out the chicken and drain the water. Place the chicken back in the pot and shred it with two forks. Add the rest of the barbecue sauce and stir well to mix it all in.
If using frozen chicken breasts, prepare the recipe the same way, except extend the natural release time to 10 minutes.
🥗 Serving suggestions
Serve the shredded chicken meat on Old-Fashioned Air Buns, brioche buns, Instant Pot White Rice, pasta, or quinoa. Top with additional barbecue sauce if desired.
You can also serve it on BBQ Chicken Pizza or Panera Bread BBQ Chicken Salad.
⏲️ Slow Cooker Instructions
To make this BBQ chicken recipe in a slow cooker, place the chicken and all of the BBQ sauce in the slow cooker, set it on low, and let it cook for 6-8 hours. Once the chicken is cooked, shred it with a fork or chop it into bite-sized pieces.
💭 Expert tips
- Drain the water when the chicken is done cooking before adding the sauce.
- Add a little extra BBQ sauce if you like your chicken saucy.
- Leftover BBQ chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days or in the freezer for up to two months.
📖 Additions & variations
- Spicy: Add hot sauce, diced jalapeno peppers, or cayenne pepper.
- Spices: Add seasoning or herbs to the chicken for more flavor. Try onion powder or garlic powder.
- Sweet: Add some brown sugar or honey to make a sweeter sauce.
❓Recipe FAQs
No, the BBQ sauce has a high sugar content, so it will stick to the bottom of the pot and give you the burn notice. You need to use water or chicken broth as the liquid for this recipe.
This easy BBQ chicken only requires two ingredients: chicken breasts and barbecue sauce.
The chicken takes 15 minutes to cook at high pressure and 5 minutes of natural release. If using frozen chicken breasts, cook for 15 minutes at high pressure and 10 minutes of natural release.
The best way to make BBQ chicken in an instant pot is to place the chicken breasts on a trivet at the bottom and add one cup of water. Top your chicken with your favorite BBQ sauce. Cook on high pressure for 15 minutes, then natural release for 5 minutes. Then, use the quick-release method to allow additional steam to escape.
👩🏻🍳 More Instant Pot recipes
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- Jeri
Recipe
Instant Pot BBQ Chicken
Equipment
- Pressure cooker
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts boneless, skinless
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Place trivet in the instant pot and add 1 cup of water. Place chicken breasts in a single layer on the trivet.1 cup water, 4 chicken breasts
- Place about ⅓ cup of barbecue sauce on top of the chicken breasts. Secure the lid. Set to high pressure for 15 minutes.
- After the 15 minutes, natural pressure release for 5 minutes. Then, quick release the remaining pressure and open the lid.
- Lift out the chicken carefully and drain the water out of the pot. Return the chicken to the pot. Using two forks, shred the chicken or cut it into small pieces.
- Add the remaining barbecue sauce to the chicken. Stir well to combine. If desired, add extra sauce until you get the consistency you like.
- Serve the chicken with extra sauce and your favorite sides.
Video
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Recipe Notes:
- Drain the water when the chicken is done cooking before adding the sauce.
- Add a little extra BBQ sauce if you like your chicken saucy.
- Leftover BBQ chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days or in the freezer for up to two months.
NUTRITION INFORMATION
The provided nutritional information is an estimate per serving. Accuracy is not guaranteed.
About Jeri Walker
Jeri Walker is the founder and CEO of Winding Creek Ranch. She is a self-taught home cook who specializes in easy family-friendly recipes. Jeri is also a food writer who regularly writes articles for MSN. Read about Jeri's journey and connect with her on your favorite social media channels!
Marcellina says
Turned out succulent and tasty! Thanks!